[Bob1960]

My friend that I take care of with bipolar one is having a problem staying in the house and wants to leave. I'm afraid she will get out in the public and get this virus and come back home with it. She's not taking the right medicine now and is real manic.

[Victoria'smom]

I'm leaving my house tomorrow for a drive with my parents and see my sister. I will be wearing a mask. Yes it's a real big risk but honestly I need a little break. It's up for debate whether I'm manic. I'll feel terrible if I bring it home but it'll be more likely if I end up in the hospital. Is she safe?

I see you live in Tennessee. Is your location still accurate? If so, Tennessee has not shutdown most parks and trails: COVID-19 Closures — Tennessee State Parks

If she wants to go out, why not ask her if she wants to go on a trail or walk in a park? I'm not saying she should congregate with other people, but you and her can go walking on a trail. That will (1.) let her get out like she wants to, and (2.) give her exercise to burn off some excess manic energy. Is that an option for you? You are less likely to get sick out on a trail than you are in an enclosed space (e.g., a store), and it it allows you to control the situation.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Billybob59

My friend that I take care of with bipolar one is having a problem staying in the house and wants to leave. I'm afraid she will get out in the public and get this virus and come back home with it. She's not taking the right medicine now and is real manic.

Hi Billybob59,

Everyone would do well to have a devoted friend like you.

I like Bluebicycle's suggestion. I hope it's a possibility.

Any chance your friend will be having a med change soon?

I hope things work out well and soon!

[downandlonely]

I'm having a tough time not being able to see people in person. But even if I wanted to go out, everything is closed so there's not much I can do.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by downandlonely

I'm having a tough time not being able to see people in person. But even if I wanted to go out, everything is closed so there's not much I can do.

It's very tough on people to have to stay home.

I am hearing it;s extremely tough for people who are extroverts in nature.

I'm assuming you see friends/family on platforms like Zoom/Skype, etc?

I know setting up meetings with friends and relatives for my mom on Zoom has been incredibly helpful for her.

I have some friends who are inviting people to bonfires and everyone is honoring social distancing and/or are wearing masks. Everyone brings their own picnic if a gathering involves a meal.

I've heard of some very creative approaches to spending time with others.

I do hope you are able to spend some "safe" time with those you love.

[Zeroid]

I'm OK at the moment, but if I wasn't I think my desire to leave wouldn't really be about going outside, but wanting stimulation, people, something to do or **** with. I think that a trail is a good idea to start with, but healthy exercise can intensify manic states as often as diminish them. Trying to find out which would happen with your friend would be good so you can prepare.

Although this is in no way recommended by the CDC, some kind of personal interaction might be good. This all depends on your risk tolerance but if you know people who have quarantined well enough to not be a high risk, and if they are OK with you and your friend, then social interaction would likely help a lot. If it were me hypomanic I would leave my house. No question. The questions you have are if and how you control it.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Zeroid

I'm OK at the moment, but if I wasn't I think my desire to leave wouldn't really be about going outside, but wanting stimulation, people, something to do or **** with. I think that a trail is a good idea to start with, but healthy exercise can intensify manic states as often as diminish them. Trying to find out which would happen with your friend would be good so you can prepare.

Although this is in no way recommended by the CDC, some kind of personal interaction might be good. This all depends on your risk tolerance but if you know people who have quarantined well enough to not be a high risk, and if they are OK with you and your friend, then social interaction would likely help a lot. If it were me hypomanic I would leave my house. No question. The questions you have are if and how you control it.

[*Beth*]

I don't think anyone is enjoying what we are all going through. I also believe it's important to remind ourselves that there are people in history (the Blitzkrieg comes to mind first) who had to spend weeks to months in bomb shelters. I'm very sure that no one enjoyed that, either. But the alternative is much, much worse.

[~Christina]

Well our Govenor Bill Lee ... who I have zero respect for now. He values money more than lives.

He Opened parks back open on Friday.. He still recomends 6 feet social distancing.

Hes also ok with restaurants as long as tables/ booths are 6 feet apart and no more than 6 people at one table. Servers are to wear mask and gloves.

He is encouraging people to wear masks, but there is no order right now.

He said he is trying to order 5 million masks so everyone in TN will have one but our population is just under 7 million .. so yeah there is that..

Hes not following the Guidelines that the Presidental task force is asking Govenor's to follow... There will be more areas that will flare with COVID.

He plans to reopen retail clothing etc stores that do not have food on Wednesday.. with 50% capacity..

A Tyson poultry factor( Goodletsville I think) has been closed as over 100 people have COVID. the entire factor needs to be fully cleaned and sanitized..

As for Metro Nashville the Mayor will be deciding when to safely open downtown Broadway. Davidson county has huge number of COVID positive cases.. Yes Nashville is losing money hand over fist but its going to be pretty hard when the bars open up and people are told at the door there is no room to come in until someone leaves...

As for your friend?? Is she the one that was IP recently? When did she get out? Unless there is a court order she doesnt have to take meds. But her wanting to go out around town could bring COVID into your home, I dont think your in good health if I remember right.

If she talks of hurting herself agan or threatens to harm you, just call 911 let them sort it out.

Stay safe

[Bob1960]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

I see you live in Tennessee. Is your location still accurate? If so, Tennessee has not shutdown most parks and trails: COVID-19 Closures — Tennessee State Parks

If she wants to go out, why not ask her if she wants to go on a trail or walk in a park? I'm not saying she should congregate with other people, but you and her can go walking on a trail. That will (1.) let her get out like she wants to, and (2.) give her exercise to burn off some excess manic energy. Is that an option for you? You are less likely to get sick out on a trail than you are in an enclosed space (e.g., a store), and it it allows you to control the situation.

She wants to go to her flavorite restaurant logans roadhouse. Which right now has alot of people. I think it's a bad idea because both of us have major lung problem's . You can't wear a mask if you want to eat.

[Victoria'smom]

Why don't you order take out from them and set up a nice picnic away from everyone.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by Bob1960

She wants to go to her flavorite restaurant logans roadhouse. Which right now has alot of people. I think it's a bad idea because both of us have major lung problem's . You can't wear a mask if you want to eat.

That sounds bad. Are there outside spaces? Is lunch on Wednesday quieter? If you can mitigate the risk then it might be acceptable, but at this point it sounds to tricky.

[*Beth*]

I've been coping pretty well with our shelter in place. The high-crisis environment isn't very difficult for me to live with, most likely because of my relentlessly high-stress/crisis childhood, and because living with mental illness has given me skills to cope with crisis, in great part.

I think yesterday was the first day I began to feel slightly more burden than ability to cope. Thankfully, our governor (Gavin Newsom) is terrific. We've been sheltering in place since early March. But as of yesterday everyone in my county has to wear a mask. I had already been wearing a mask to the grocery store and laundromat (the only places I go now). But it was so odd to suddenly see everyone wearing a mask. Every floor is taped off (social distancing). People are mostly very kind, yet very tense.

Anyway, we're in for the long haul.

Yeah, I like the suggestions offered by Miguel'smom and Zeroid. Maybe do takeout and have a picnic, or eat outside, if you absolutely must go to the restaurant.

If she wants to be around people, then according to Christina, parks are open and people are hanging out there. She can keep her distance from other people in a park better than she can in a restaurant, but she'll still be around other people if that comforts her.

I really do think you can try to compromise with her to make both you and her happy. Picnic in the park sounds safest when it comes to getting takeout food.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Yeah, I like the suggestions offered by Miguel'smom and Zeroid. Maybe do takeout and have a picnic, or eat outside, if you absolutely must go to the restaurant.

If she wants to be around people, then according to Christina, parks are open and people are hanging out there. She can keep her distance from other people in a park better than she can in a restaurant, but she'll still be around other people if that comforts her.

I really do think you can try to compromise with her to make both you and her happy. Picnic in the park sounds safest when it comes to getting takeout food.

I'm sure everyone knows that these are bad options, it will just be useful to plan out a least bad option, with contingency plans.

[Aviza]

I'm basically not allowed to stay home. I work. One of my therapies still meets in person. The rest are on line. I used to cry in fear, now i know following the guidelines works. I'm healthy my immune system was compromised due to antibiotics 3 rounds. An infection I couldn't get rid of..

Anyway if I'm supposed to stay home i don't. I visit my mom, she begs me to. I went on a date. I'm just living my same old life, with modifications. It's a lot of fear mongering by the news. I pray, I follow CDC recommendations, wash hands, social distancing, etc. But I'm still living life.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by Aviza

I'm basically not allowed to stay home. I work. One of my therapies still meets in person. The rest are on line. I used to cry in fear, now i know following the guidelines works. I'm healthy my immune system was compromised due to antibiotics 3 rounds. An infection I couldn't get rid of..

Anyway if I'm supposed to stay home i don't. I visit my mom, she begs me to. I went on a date. I'm just living my same old life, with modifications. It's a lot of fear mongering by the news. I pray, I follow CDC recommendations, wash hands, social distancing, etc. But I'm still living life.

I do things that are technically unnecessary, but I need it. So does my wife who's acronymic (not a word, I know) employer advises people not to do these things. Her take is that everyone needs to know the risks and work out the level of risk they are comfortable with. Everyone is not going to stay inside until the vaccine. Hopefully we can mitigate the overall risk, but we have a long, difficult path.